TPD Releases Timeline In Alleged Sexual Battery Case

Credit: Seminoles.com

The Tallahassee Police Department is releasing a timeline regarding the recent case which has received national media attention.

Interim Police Chief Tom Coe said “As we have previously stated, this is an active investigation and we are not going to discuss details that could possibly impact this case. At the same time, there have been process questions that I want to respond to because I believe they demonstrate TPD's professionalism and the investigative processes of a sexual battery case.”

The following is a summary of the investigative steps, which is the process we follow in this type of case:

December 7, 2012: The Tallahassee Police Department (TPD) responds to a sexual battery case referred by the Florida State University Police Department because the alleged incident occurred off campus. TPD transports the victim to the hospital for treatment and evidence is collected including a sexual assault kit. An investigator responds to the hospital and interviews the victim.

December 7, 2012: An initial police report is filed. Contact is made with an assistant state attorney related to obtaining cell phone records, although no potential suspect had yet been identified.

December 7, 2012 to January 10, 2013: Additional investigative follow up is conducted, including witness interviews, pursuing investigative leads, issuing a court order and a search warrant.

January 10, 2013: The victim calls the investigator and identifies a suspect by name and a meeting is scheduled with the victim.

January 11, 2013: An attorney contacts TPD representing the victim and indicates all future contact will be through her and the meeting with the victim does not occur.

The week of January 14th, 2013: TPD investigator makes contact with the suspect and requests an interview.

January 15, 2013: Based upon now having a named suspect, all applicable evidence is sent to Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) for processing.

January 23, 2013: The potential suspect's attorney tells TPD his client declined to be interviewed.

On February 11, 2013: A supplemental police report is filed indicating the case is open but inactive and will be further pursued if the victim decides to pursue charges.

February 22 & March 29, 2013: Results received from the FDLE Toxicology Section are received, which are relayed to the victim's attorney. The victim's attorney stated she would review the findings with her client and contact the investigator if she wished to pursue the case further.

August 27, 2013: FDLE provides the analysis of the sexual assault kit to TPD.

“Sexual Battery cases are some of the most difficult crimes to investigate as they are unique and personal in nature. TPD will continue to work in coordination with the State Attorney's office in order to ensure justice is served in this case" said Chief Coe.

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